Retail Observer

RETAILOBSERVER.COM JANUARY 2015 70 O P P O R T U N I T I E S [ N K B A ] T he 2015 Kitchen & Bath Industry Show promises to be bigger, better and bolder than ever before. As owners of the show, the National Kitchen & Bath Association is increasing learning opportunities, awarding its first-ever Professional of the Year award, and delivering some of the best networking opportunities that the industry has to offer. NKBA University, the Association's learning and professional development arm, will present NKBA U Courses as well as Voices From The Industry (VFTI) including the Featured Speaker Sessions as part of the KBIS 2015 conference offerings. Many of the sessions give attendees the chance to earn continuing education units (CEUs), allowing them to maximize their KBIS attendance by earning required CEUs to maintain their accreditations. "We work hard to ensure that conference attendees can maximize their time at KBIS 2015," explains Nancy Barnes, director of learning at the NKBA. "By integrating excellent learning and professional development opportunities into the KBIS schedule, we allow our members—all of whom have busy schedules—to include professional development to enhance their KBIS experience." DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION WEEK For the second consecutive year, KBIS will co-locate with the International Builders' Show (IBS), to form Design & Construction Week (DCW) — a must-attend event to be held at the Las Vegas Convention Center from Jan. 20 to 22, 2015. In addition to KBIS and IBS, attendees can also take in Surfaces (International Surface Event), IWCE (International Window Coverings Expo), and special events during the Las Vegas Market. VOICES FROM THE INDUSTRY Over 90 sessions are being offered at KBIS 2015 – many will offer CEUs from the NKBA as well as other industry associations, such as NAHB (National Association of Homebuilders), NARI (National Association of the Remodeling Industry), and AIA (American Institute of Architects). The hour-long information sessions are grouped into 11 conference blocks over three days and offer attendees a chance to hear presentations from their industry peers on a variety of current topics and trends. All VFTI sessions are aligned to one of NKBA University's eight learning paths. NKBA UNIVERSITY COURSES Of the 11 courses offered at the show, the NKBA will include new courses available exclusively at KBIS. The courses will cover topics such as recruiting and hiring, decorative plumbing, creative thinking, customer service, and sales. All courses are taught by top instructors and are designed to further develop an industry professional's career. The courses have a separate registration fee from the Voices From The Industry pass. A highlight of the 11 Learning Courses offered at KBIS 2015 is the DiSCover Your Selling Style course, offered on Monday, January 19. The course uses the DiSC ® Sales Profile to help participants improve their sales performance and results. THE NATIONAL KITCHEN AND BATH ASSOCIATION INCREASES LEARNING AND NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES FOR KBIS 2015 The NKBA expands its voices from the industry conference program and professional development courses, and launches Pofessional of the Year award continued on page 72

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